Pudhina Thogayal

Thogayal is a Tamil word for Chutney. Thogayal last longer unlike other curries. My mother used to prepare thogayal of different kinds. Pudhina Thogayal is of one kind.

Mint leaves are used as a medicinal herb to treat stomach ache and chest pains. It is used to whiten teeth and also to treat Acne (skin disease).
Though it has lot of medicinal values, not everyone likes the smell.

Pudhina Thogayal given here is prepared by frying mint leaves. You will not feel the raw smell and tastes good.

Ingredients:
Mint Leaves (Pudhina)- 1 Bunch
Coriander Leaves (Kothamalli)- 1 Bunch
Tomato -1 No
Onion - 1 No or Small Onion - 5 Nos
Tamarind Thick extract - 1/4 Cup
Urad Dhal (Ulunthamparuppu) - 2 Tsp
Dry Red Chillies - 3 - 4
Salt - As Required
Oil - 3 Tbsp

For Garnishing:
Urad Dhal (Ulunthamparuppu) - 1/2 Tsp
Gram Dhal (Kadalaiparuppu) - 1/4 Tsp
Check out Lentils
Dry Red Chilli - 1

Method:

1. Heat oil in a pan and fry 2 teaspoons of urad dal until golden brown.
2. Add Onion and red chillies and fry and keep it aside.
3. Add Mint leaves, Coriander Leaves and fry till the water evaporates and leaves shrink and then keep it aside.
4. Heat oil in a pan and fry the tomatoes.
5. Allow everything to cool.
6. Grind everything together along with tamarind extract and salt.
7. Adjust salt accordingly.
8. Heat oil in a pan.
9. Add Urad dal, Gram dal and red chilli and fry until golden brown.
10. Garnish with the above.

Note:

• Add water only if necessary. The water used for soaking tamarind would be enough.
• You can add a pinch of ginger too.